Read The Fictional Speech Set In City Hall Of La

Read The Fictional Speech Below Set In The City Hall Of A Large City

Read The Fictional Speech Below Set In The City Hall Of A Large City

Read the fictional speech (below) set in the city hall of a large city that is about to vote on whether a new stadium should be built. The speaker, a city council member, is trying to persuade the audience the stadium should be built. In the table below, identify the rhetorical devices, the appeal to ethos and pathos used to persuade the audience of the conclusion that the stadium should be built. “Fellow city council members, I am here today to tell you why our city should approve the construction of the new sports stadium in the downtown area of our beautiful city. As you know, our mayor is opposed to this construction.

I am very disappointed that the public has been misinformed about what is going in regards to this proposed construction. I nearly died hearing some of the lies from those who are opposed to this construction. So I am here today to clarify some things and to bring out the truth as to what is involved in what I hope is the future construction of this stadium. It is a fact that the construction will be a multi-billion-dollar project carried out by contractors from our city and from our city only. This means most of the jobs involved in this construction will involve the residents of our city.

It was proposed that these contracts be given to construction companies from other cities. The mayor has proposed this as a condition for his support, but this may be due to the fact he has friends in other cities who will financially benefit from these construction contracts. But...do we want these jobs to go to the residents of other cities? Do we want other people to benefit from something that will be a symbol of our civic pride? I say this because this is the city that I grew up in.

I was born here. My parents were also born here. I am very proud of our city, and I am very proud to represent it by my public service. There is no one who cares more about this city than I do. I was here during the 2017 earthquake that cost millions in property damage and took the lives of 23 residents.

You should have seen the faces of the families who suffered from this earthquake. Kids were left without a home because of that earthquake. I held those kids in my arms. It is for those families that I think we should build this stadium. I am proposing we build a memorial for those families right at the entrance of the new stadium.

We shall have an opening ceremony that honors those families who lost loved ones during the 2017 earthquake. Don’t we want these families to be honored? I yield my time to my fellow councilwoman who also supports this great project.

Conclusion: Rhetorical devices Ethos Pathos The city should allow the construction of the stadium

1. Hyperbole: “I nearly died hearing some of the lies from those who are opposed to this construction” and “There is no one who cares more about this city than I do.”

2. Rhetorical questions: “Do we want other people to benefit from something that will be a symbol of our civic pride?” “Don’t we want these families to be honored?” These questions are used to evoke emotional and moral considerations, prompting the audience to reflect on their collective identity and values.

The council member emphasizes his sincere care for the city, stating he was born and raised there and has served in public office. This creates an ethos appeal by establishing his credibility, dedication, and personal connection to the city. Furthermore, he appeals to ethos by referencing his experience during the 2017 earthquake, highlighting his firsthand involvement with local tragedy and his genuine concern for the community’s well-being.

He creates emotional appeal (pathos) by invoking images of traumatized families affected by the earthquake: “You should have seen the faces of the families who suffered from this earthquake.” The vivid description aims to foster empathy and a sense of moral obligation among the audience, making them more receptive to the argument that building the stadium, with a memorial, would honor those families and serve the community’s collective memory.

Consideration of Logical Arguments

Aside from rhetoric, a logical argument supporting the stadium’s construction can be based on concrete facts and benefits. The key premises are:

• The construction contracts will go exclusively to local businesses, ensuring economic benefit within the city.
• New long-term jobs will be created through the opening of new bars and restaurants near the stadium, stimulated by the additional foot traffic and development.
• 15% of the stadium’s tax revenue will benefit public schools within the city, providing substantial educational funding.

From these premises, a logical conclusion can be derived: Building the stadium will enhance local employment opportunities, foster economic growth, and generate revenue that supports vital public services, thereby serving the best interest of the community.

References

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• Burke, K. (1969). A Rhetoric of Motives. University of California Press.
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